With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Typically, Tomlin won't play rookies if they don't practice or get a full week of practice for regular season games. But a preseason game is different. There aren't any exotic looks or game plans.

It's doubtful that McLendon plays, in my opinion. His concussion must have been a pretty serious one, though he won't talk about it. He didn't even come to the field for practice the first couple of days, and when he did finally come out, he looked like death.

Blanchflower and Zumwalt both missed lengthy spots of practice but have been back the past couple of days.

The one everyone will be interested in is Shazier. The Steelers' top draft pick went through all of OTAs and the minicamps as the starter. He's missed the past few practices with a knee injury and sat out again on Thursday. If he can make it back for this game, that would be a surprise.

Jones was back on the field Thursday but was rotating with the first unit with Chris Carter until he gets his legs back.

@ Cam Heyward, Troy Polamalu and Antonio Brown sat out today. Heyward got banged up at the end of Wednesday's practice and left early, though he stayed on the field, but Polamalu and Brown appeared to be veteran's days off.

Tomlin said Wednesday that Heyward and Marcus Gilbert, who has had a strong camp, were both expected to practice Thursday. Gilbert was back, while Heyward was not.

@ Rookie Martavis Bryant continues to improve. He caught a deep post pass down the middle from Bruce Gradkowski when the team was working on its no-huddle offense that went for a long score.

Later, he caught made an over-the-shoulder catch in the two-minute offense for a score from Brendon Kay.

The kid has outstanding size and speed. If he can put everything together, he could be a star.

If not, he's still a size/speed matchup problem who could contribute this season as a deep threat.

@ I'm liking big Dan McCullers more and more. Today, he got his paw on a Landry Jones pass while playing in the third-team nickel.

His teammates seem to like him a lot, as well. Every time he makes a play, all you hear is "All right Big Dan."

@ The first kick coverage unit included Justin Brown, Brice McCain - who has been hitting everything with authority here - Antwon Blake, Will Johnson, Vince Williams, Terence Garvin and Robert Golden. Those guys could all be safe on this roster.

Dale, With all of the praise I hear from various news sources, yourself included, I'm finding it difficult to figure out which linebackers get cut or placed on the practice squad. At this point I'd say Zumwalt will make the practice squad but we still have some pre-season games to sort the rest out. Is it as tight as it seems or do you see players separating themselves?